Police have arrested a 21-year-old Burkinabe national after intercepting about 500 cartons of assorted Tramadol during an intelligence-led operation at Widana.
The operation was carried out at about 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, by personnel from the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) and an operational team known as the “Black Cobra.”
According to the Police, the operation followed a month-long intelligence-gathering exercise into suspected activities involving the importation and distribution of illicit drugs within the area.
During the operation, officers retrieved the suspected illicit drugs from a privately operated warehouse as well as some residential properties.
The suspect, identified as Abdul Ali, 21, is currently assisting the Police with investigations.
Preliminary intelligence gathered by the Police suggests that nationals from Mali, Togo, Burkina Faso and Senegal may be linked to the alleged importation of the drugs.
Investigators also suspect that Widana was being used as a transit and distribution point, with the drugs allegedly moved from the area to other destinations.
The Police have not indicated the final destination of the intercepted consignment or disclosed whether other suspects have been arrested.
Investigations are ongoing to identify other individuals who may be connected to the suspected drug network and establish the full extent of the alleged operation.
The Police say the seizure forms part of ongoing intelligence-led efforts to disrupt the movement and distribution of illicit drugs in the area.